Coastal Prairie consists of two communities. Coastal Terrace Prairie (41100) is a dense, tall grassland (to 1m tall) dominated by both sod and tussock-forming perennial grasses. Most stands are quite patchy and variable in composition, reflecting local differences in available soil moisture capacity. Bald Hills Prairie (41200) occurs in zonal Mixed Evergreen (81100) and North Coast Conifer Forests (82000).
SITE FACTORS:
Coastal Terrace Prairie is found on sandy loams on marine terraces near the coast (below ~700-1,000 feet) within the zone of coastal fog incursion. Bald Hills Prairie is found on argillic ("self-churning"), fine-textured soils on ridge crests, usually a few miles back from the coast (beyond the limit of coastal fog incursion?). Surrounding zonal forests occur on rockier sites.
DISTRIBUTION:
Discontinuous from Santa Cruz County north into Oregon.
Source: Adapted from Holland, 1986.